Updated 30 September 2026
It's one of the most common food safety questions we get: how long after I defrost chicken should it be cooked? The short answer from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to use food within 24 hours of it being fully defrosted in the fridge, and to cook chicken defrosted in the microwave straight away. Here's the detail, by thawing method, plus what to do about refreezing and how to cook defrosted chicken safely.
The quick answer
| How you defrosted it | When to cook it |
|---|---|
| In the fridge | Within 24 hours of being fully defrosted (FSA guidance) |
| In cold water, sealed | Straight away |
| In the microwave | Immediately (FSA guidance) |
| On the worktop | Not recommended; don't defrost chicken this way |
Defrosted in the fridge
This is the safest method, and the one the FSA recommends. Put the chicken in a container that catches drips, on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Once it's fully defrosted, cook it within 24 hours. Defrosted chicken goes off in the same way as fresh chicken, so don't treat the 24 hours as a starting point for more days in the fridge.
How long does chicken take to defrost in the fridge? - Chicken breasts, thighs or drumsticks: overnight, or about 12–24 hours. - A 1kg pack: about 24 hours. - A bulk 5kg pack: much longer. It's best to portion it before freezing, or separate what you need while it's still partly frozen.
These are typical times. They depend on your fridge and how the chicken is packed.
Defrosted in cold water
Keep the chicken sealed in a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes. Small packs of breasts or thighs usually take 1–2 hours. Cook it as soon as it has thawed. Don't put it back in the fridge for later.
Defrosted in the microwave
Use the defrost setting and follow the microwave's instructions. The FSA advises using the microwave on the defrost setting directly before cooking. Parts of the chicken can warm up or start to cook, so cook it immediately.
Chicken that arrives partly defrosted
Some of our frozen chicken, such as Chicken Thighs 900g-1.1kg (Frozen) (£5.29), is marked on the product page as arriving at least partially defrosted. The product page recommends cooking it within 24 hours once thawed, and says it's suitable for refreezing. So put it straight into the fridge or freezer when it arrives, and follow the instructions on the product page.
Can you refreeze defrosted chicken?
Follow the product's instructions. As a general rule, if you've defrosted raw chicken, the safest approach is to cook it before you freeze it again. Cooked chicken can then be frozen, but you should only reheat it once.
How to tell if defrosted chicken is still good
Always go by the dates and the storage guidance. Signs that chicken has gone off include:
- a sour or unpleasant smell,
- a slimy or sticky surface,
- a grey or greenish colour.
If in doubt, throw it out. Don't taste it to check.
Cooking defrosted chicken safely
- Make sure it's fully defrosted before cooking, unless the pack says it can be cooked from frozen. Partly frozen chicken may not cook through evenly.
- Don't wash raw chicken. The FSA advises against it, because splashing spreads bacteria around the sink.
- Cook it until it's steaming hot all the way through, with no pink meat and clear juices. A thermometer should read at least 70°C for 2 minutes, or 75°C in the thickest part.
- Keep raw and cooked chicken separate, and wash your hands, boards and knives after handling raw chicken.
Freeze chicken smartly
- Portion before freezing. Split bulk packs, like our 5kg Frozen Chicken Breast Fillets (£39.99), into meal-sized bags of one or two fillets.
- Freeze flat, so it thaws quickly and evenly.
- Label and date every bag.
- Take out tomorrow's chicken tonight, and put it in the fridge to thaw.
Our meat freezer guide covers how long chicken and other cuts keep in the freezer.
Planning the week's chicken
A little planning makes safe defrosting easy. If you're cooking chicken on Tuesday and Thursday, move Tuesday's portion to the fridge on Monday night, and Thursday's on Wednesday night. That way, each pack is used well within the 24-hour window, and nothing sits defrosted in the fridge for days. If plans change and you won't cook it in time, cook it anyway and refrigerate or freeze the cooked chicken for another meal.
Leftover cooked chicken
Cool cooked chicken quickly and put it in the fridge within 1–2 hours (FSA guidance). Eat it within 2 days, or freeze it. Reheat it until it's steaming hot all the way through, and only reheat it once.
Browse all chicken and our freezer packs. For portion ideas, see how much does a chicken breast weigh?.
Defrosting chicken FAQs
How long after I defrost chicken should it be cooked?
If you defrosted it in the fridge, cook it within 24 hours of it being fully defrosted. If you used the microwave or cold water, cook it straight away.
Can defrosted chicken stay in the fridge for 2 days?
FSA guidance is to use food within 24 hours of it being fully defrosted, so it's best not to leave it longer.
Can I refreeze chicken that's been defrosted?
The safest approach is to cook it first, then freeze it. Follow the instructions on the product page for items that arrive partly defrosted.
How long does chicken take to defrost in the fridge?
Usually overnight, about 12–24 hours, for breasts and thighs, and about 24 hours for a 1kg pack.
Is it safe to cook chicken from frozen?
Only if the pack says so. Otherwise, defrost it thoroughly first, so it cooks through evenly.